State’s Department of Conservation director speaking on fracking at MJC

MODESTO – The Modesto Area Partners in Science (MAPS) will offer a presentation by Mark Nechodom, Ph.D., speaking on the topic of “Hydraulic Fracturing in California” on Friday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mary Stuart Rogers Student Center on Modesto Junior College’s West Campus, 2201 Blue Gum Avenue. Event admission and parking are free and open to the public.

Nechodom, the Director of California’s Department of Conservation (DOC) will provide a comprehensive look at the process currently under way at the DOC’s Division of Oil, Gas, and Geothermal Resources to develop state regulations related to the oil production stimulation method known as hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.” In his role at the DOC, Nechodom serves as the fracking regulator for the state of California, and he will talk about the drafting of the regulations and his priority to put protection of public health and safety and the environment first.

Nechodom has dedicated his professional life to integrating conservation, regulation and development on private and public lands, including on the farm and in the forest. His mission has been to inspire sustainable production and practices while maintaining a sensible balance between economic opportunities, environmental health and human well-being.

Prior to his service as DOC Director, Nechodom was a Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of Agriculture at the United States Department of Agriculture. Nechodom earned his doctorate in political science and environmental policy from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he taught for several years. He is married to Debra Bowen, the Secretary of State for California.

A printable flyer for the hydraulic fracturing presentation, which includes a list of upcoming MAPs events for the 2013-14 academic year, is available at: http://murov.info/MarkNechodom.pdf or as an online PowerPoint slide at: http://murov.info/MarkNechodom.ppt .

For more information about MAPS programs visit http://maps.events.mjc.edu/ or contact MJC’s Science, Mathematics and Engineering Division office at 575-6173.